PrepTest 137, Section 3, Question 7
Scientist: Any theory that is to be taken(31 more words not shown)
The point of the scientist's(8 more words not shown)
- Aan example of(18 more words not shown)
- Ban example of(8 more words not shown)
- Can example of(16 more words not shown)
- Dan example of(15 more words not shown)
- Ean example of(18 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
Changing how people see the world isn't enough to make a theory worth taking seriously. That's the distinction the scientist wants astrology to illustrate.
Imagine someone interpreting a difficult interaction through a belief about Mercury's position. Astrology would affect that person's perception of events. But the scientist still treats it as something that shouldn't be taken seriously. We don't have to share that person's belief, or settle the merits of astrology ourselves, to understand how the example works.
What we’re looking for
The first sentence says a serious theory must affect perception. The second says that having this feature doesn't automatically earn a theory serious consideration. For the role question, astrology needs to have the feature but fail to earn serious consideration. Otherwise it wouldn't demonstrate the second sentence's point.
Working the answers
- A
This says astrology doesn't affect perception. But then it wouldn't show that affecting perception is insufficient. The scientist needs an example that does affect perception and still shouldn't be taken seriously. A removes the very feature the example is supposed to have.
- B
Being a theory and deserving to be taken seriously are different things. The scientist isn't using astrology to define what counts as a theory. It is an example of a theory that fails to deserve serious consideration despite affecting how people see the world.
- CCorrect
‘Despite’ captures the point: astrology has the required effect on perception, yet the scientist doesn't regard that as enough to justify taking it seriously. The example supports the claim that the requirement by itself is insufficient. ‘Our perception’ doesn't require every reader to believe in astrology; the relevant idea is its effect on the people who do.
- D
This makes the effect on perception a reason that astrology should be taken seriously. That is exactly the move the scientist warns against. The example is meant to show why the feature doesn't settle the matter, not why it does.
- E
This describes a theory worth taking seriously even though it fails to affect perception. That would challenge the first sentence's requirement. The scientist instead accepts that requirement and illustrates why meeting it isn't enough. E assigns the example the opposite combination of features.
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